Here’s how you can downgrade from iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 beta running on your iPhone and iPad back to iOS 26.3.1 and iPadOS 26.3.1.
You Can Downgrade iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 to iOS 26.3.1 and iPadOS 26.3.1 Using DFU Mode on iPhone and iPad
Beta software updates come with a lot of technical hurdles. For example, if you are planning to downgrade back to the publicly available firmware, you can’t do it normally.
In a normal scenario, if an older firmware is signed by Apple, you can use Finder to downgrade your iPhone and iPad without any additional steps. All you have to do is provide the firmware file, nothing else.
With beta software, you have to put your device in DFU mode first. That is the trickiest part, and a lot of people don’t get it right in the first go. However, if you read the steps for DFU mode twice, you will start to realize that it’s not a big deal at all.
Backup Everything First
Before you downgrade iOS 26.4 beta or iPadOS 26.4 beta, make sure you have taken a backup of your iPhone and iPad. You can use Finder or iCloud, as long as your data is safe and secure.
Please take your time with this. If you lose your data, there’s no official way to recover it at all.
Put iPhone or iPad in DFU Mode
DFU mode, or Device Firmware Update mode, is the tricky part of the whole downgrade process. Rather than attempt it in one go, I will suggest reading the steps at least twice, then try it out.
You will find steps for putting your iPhone in DFU mode posted here, and iPad posted here.
Once you’ve put your device in DFU mode, it will show up in Finder, and you’ll receive a confirmation for it too. At this point, you can either let Finder download the firmware file for you by clicking on the ‘Restore iPhone’ or ‘Restore iPad’ button, or you can download the iOS 26.3.1 and iPadOS 26.3.1 firmware files manually.
I will suggest letting Finder download the firmware file for you, especially if you have a fast internet connection at home, or just don’t want to involve yourself in firmware files and extra clicks.
